Handbag with interchangeable straps

ABSTRACT

A handbag is provided. The handbag may include a bag. The bag includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface and a base. The first side, the second side, the front surface and the rear surface form an upper rim forming an entrance into the bag. At least a first aperture is formed through the bag near the first side. The present invention further includes a shackle and a pin. The shackle includes a first arm and a second arm extending from a top portion. The first arm includes a first opening and the second arm includes a second opening. The first opening, the second opening and the aperture align, and a pin sized to fit and runs through the openings and aperture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/134,657, filed Mar. 18, 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to handbags and, more particularly, to handbags with an interchangeable strap and unique clasp.

A handbag, also purse, or pouch, is a handled medium-to-large bag that is often fashionably designed, typically used by women, to hold personal items. Handbags usually only have one strap of a specified style, that may or may not be removable. The wearer may want to change the style of the handbag in order to address a different aesthetic desire. This would require a different handbag for each specified purpose.

As can be seen, there is a need for a handbag with interchangeable straps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a handbag comprises: a bag comprising a first side, a second side, a front surface, a rear surface and a base, wherein the first side, the second side, the front surface and the rear surface comprise an upper rim forming an entrance into the bag; at least a first aperture formed through the bag near the first side; a shackle comprising a first arm and a second arm extending from a top portion, wherein the first arm comprises a first opening and the second arm comprises a second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening align with the first aperture; and a pin sized to fit through the aligned first opening, second opening and aperture.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective detail view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 3 is a perspective detail view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention illustrating the hook;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the present invention illustrating the hook;

FIG. 6 is an exploded top perspective view of present invention illustrating the shackle and pin;

FIG. 7 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the present invention illustrating the shackle and pin; and

FIG. 8 is a section detail view of the present invention along line 8-8 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes an interchangeable strap system for a handbag utilizing a hook and a shackle. The handbag and strap system of the present invention allows a handbag user to modify the handbags overall appearance by merely changing the selected strap style, while maintaining the basic handbag body. By having multiple different styles of removable straps for a given handbag, different overall styles can be created through selected combinations. These different styles can be used for different occasions.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, the present invention includes a handbag. The handbag includes a bag 22. The bag 22 includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface and a base. The first side, the second side, the front surface and the rear surface form an upper rim forming an entrance into the bag 22. At least a first aperture is formed through the bag 22 near the first side. The present invention further includes a shackle 10 and a pin 28. The shackle 10 includes a first arm and a second arm extending from a top portion. The first arm includes a first opening 12 and the second arm includes a second opening 14. The first opening 12, the second opening 14 and the aperture align. The pin 28 is sized to fit through the openings 12, 14 and aperture.

In certain embodiments, the at least one aperture includes a first aperture and a second aperture. Both the first and the second apertures are disposed near the first side just below the rim. In certain embodiments, the first aperture and the second aperture are formed through grommets 24 that are attached to the bag 22.

As mentioned above, the shackle 10 includes a top portion, a first arm and a second arm. The shackle 10 may be U-shaped and may be made of a metal or other strong material. In certain embodiments, the first opening 12 may be smooth and the second opening 14 may include a female threaded portion. The top portion of the shackle 10 may further include a shackle hole 16.

The pin 28 of the present invention includes a first end and a second end. The first end includes a stop that has a larger diameter than the first opening. The second end may include a male threaded portion 30 releasably securable within the female threaded portion formed within the second opening. Therefore, to attach the shackle 10 to the bag 22, the first opening 12 and the second opening 14 are aligned with the first aperture and the second aperture. The pin 28 runs through the first opening 12, the first aperture, the second aperture, and into the second opening 14. The pin 28 is then screwed into the threaded female portion, thereby connecting the shackle 10 to the bag.

In certain embodiments, the pin 28 may be connected to the bag 22 to prevent the user from losing the pin 28. In such embodiments, a chain opening 32 may be formed through the stop of the pin 28. A purse bracket 26 having a chain opening may be attached directly to the outer surface of the bag 22. A chain 34 may be looped through the chain opening of the stop and the chain opening of the purse bracket 26, thereby connecting the pin 28 directly to the bag 22.

The handbag of the present invention may further include a shoulder band 36, 38, 40. The shoulder band 36, 38, 40 may include a rope 36, a chain 38, a strap 40 or the like. The shoulder band 36, 38, 40 may include a first end and a second end. The first end may be secured to the shackle 10 through the shackle hole 16. The present invention may further include a hook 18 or other connector.

The hook 18 includes a hook opening 20 formed therethrough. The second end of the shoulder band 36, 38, 40 may be secured to the hook 18 through the hook opening. In such embodiments, a third aperture may be formed through the bag 22 near the second side just below the upper edge. The third aperture may also be formed through a grommet 24. The hook 18 attaches to the bag 22 through the third aperture.

Using the present invention, a person could take their collection of hand straps of various colors, patterns, materials and lengths, and effectively connect them to their existing collection of differing handbags that are designed to receive them. The person does this in order to produce multiple different varieties of wear for purposes of casual, semi-formal, formal, or everyday events.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A handbag comprising: a bag comprising a first side, a second side, a front surface, a rear surface and a base, wherein the first side, the second side, the front surface and the rear surface comprise an upper rim forming an entrance into the bag; at least a first aperture formed through the bag near the first side; a shackle comprising a first arm and a second arm extending from a top portion, wherein the first arm comprises a first opening and the second arm comprises a second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening align with the first aperture; and a pin sized to fit through the aligned first opening, second opening and aperture.
 2. The handbag of claim 1, wherein the at least a first aperture comprises a first aperture and a second aperture.
 3. The handbag of claim 2, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are formed near the upper rim.
 4. The handbag of claim 3, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are each formed through a grommet attached to the bag.
 5. The handbag of claim 1, wherein the pin comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a larger diameter than the first opening, and the second end comprises a male threaded portion releasably secured to a female threaded portion formed within the second opening.
 6. The handbag of claim 1, further comprising: a handbag bracket attached to an outer surface of the bag; and a pin chain connecting the pin to the handbag bracket.
 7. The handbag of claim 1, further comprising a shoulder band, wherein the shoulder band comprises one of a chain, a strap, and a rope.
 8. The handbag of claim 7, wherein the shoulder band comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the top portion of the shackle.
 9. The handbag of claim 8, further comprising a third aperture formed through the bag near the second side.
 10. The handbag of claim 9, further comprising a hook attached to the second end of the shoulder band, wherein the hook is releasably secured within the third aperture. 